Dr Bell set up Wellington’s
Matauranga School in1963 and became Victoria University’s
oldest PhD graduate in 2005 at the age of 82. She died on
Saturday.

“Dr Bell was an early visionary and champion
of the importance of quality early childhood education and
the opportunity it held for the professional development of
women,´ Labour’s Early Childhood Education spokesperson
Sue Moroney said

“She was a foundation member of Parents
Centre in the 1950s, during which time she was also actively
involved in training kindergarten teachers.

“She never
lost her passion for the transformative powers of early
childhood education and will be remembered for her work
across generations.

“The Labour Caucus had arranged to
meet with Marie this week to honour her
achievements.

“Sadly, while we never got the chance to
do that, she was aware that we were planning to honour her
this week and therefore knew how much we valued her huge
contribution to generations of children in New Zealand,”
said Sue
Moroney.

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